Color changing contact lenses

ABSTRACT

The present invention generally relates to contact lenses. Specifically, this invention relates to contact lenses that change color based on one or more stimuli. The present application provides for a color changing contact lens that can change its color based on one or more stimuli. The color changing contact lens is constructed of an inner layer, an outer layer and a supply of liquid crystal.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/304,667 filed on Nov. 27, 2011, the entire disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to contact lenses. Specifically,this invention relates to contact lenses that change color based on oneor more stimuli.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vanity cosmetic alterations have been popular for years. It has beencommonplace for individuals to alter the color of their hair, nails andskin in various ways utilizing a variety of products. Individuals havealso utilized contact lenses to alter the color and/or shape of theirises.

Iris altering contact lens products currently available includealterations in a wide array of colors and shapes (e.g., cat-like,solid). However, currently available contact lenses are limited to asingle color and/or shape. These lenses are formed in a manner such thatthe color and shape are selected at production.

If an individual desired to have different colored or shaped contactlenses, the individual would be required to remove the contact lensescurrently worn with a new set of contact lenses of the desired shapeand/or color. This is especially difficult since changing contact lensestypically requires one or more miscellaneous articles (e.g., mirror,contact lens case, saline solution).

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a color changing contact lensthat can change its color based on one or more stimuli. These and otherfeatures and advantages of the present invention will be explained andwill become obvious to one skilled in the art through the summary of theinvention that follows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a colorchanging contact lens that can change its color based on one or morestimuli.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the color changingcontact lens is constructed of an inner layer, an outer layer and asupply of color changing material.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the inner layer iscomprised of an interior side and an exterior side. The outer layer isalso comprised of an interior side and an exterior side.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the exterior sideof the inner layer is configured to be received upon the eye of anindividual.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least a portionof the interior side of the inner layer is configured to be in contactwith an interior side of the outer layer in a manner such that a sealedarea is formed between the inner layer and outer layer is formed.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the interior sideof the inner layer may be further comprised of a plurality of tubesconfigured to retain a substance within. The tubes may be nearlymicroscopic in size.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the supply of thecolor changing material is contained within the sealed area between theinner and outer layers of the contact lens.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the inner and outerlayers may be constructed from glass or plastic materials or the like.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the color of thecontact lens may change based on one or more stimuli, such astemperature.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the changing of thecolor of the contact lens is affected by changes in the color changingmaterial.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method forcreating a color changing contact lens, includes the steps of: creatingan inner layer, comprised of an interior surface and an exteriorsurface, wherein said exterior surface is configured to be placed uponthe eye of an individual; creating an outer layer, comprised of aninterior surface and an exterior surface; and applying a color changingmaterial to one or more of said interior surface of said inner layer andsaid interior surface of said outer layer, affixing said interiorsurface of said outer layer to said interior surface of said inner layerin such a way that creates a sandwich structure incorporating a sealedarea there between, wherein said color changing material is containedwithin said sealed area.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method furtherincludes the step of machining micro tubes into said interior surface ofsaid inner layer.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method furtherincludes step of machining micro tubes into said interior surface ofsaid exterior layer.

The foregoing summary of the present invention with the preferredembodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention.It should be understood and obvious to one skilled in the art that theembodiments of the invention thus described may be further modifiedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a color changing contact lens in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a color changing contact lens inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a color changing contact lens inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention along line 3-3 inFIG. 1 illustrating placement of the contact lens onto the eye of awearer;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a color changing contact lens inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention along line 4-4 inFIG. 2 illustrating layer components of the contact lens;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a color changing contact lens in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a color changing contact lens inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention along line 6-6 inFIG. 5 illustrating layer components of the contact lens; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a color changing contact lens inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED SPECIFICATION

The following detailed description details one or more preferredembodiments and best currently contemplated modes of carrying outexemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to betaken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose ofillustrating the general principles of the invention.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention generally provides acontact lens that changes color depending upon one or more stimuli. Morespecifically, exemplary embodiments of the contact lens described hereinemploy a color changing material that changes color in response tochanges in one or more stimuli. In a preferred embodiment, a thermographic liquid crystal material is utilized that changes color inresponse to changes in the wearer's body temperature, thereby causingthe color of the contact lens to change, for instance, with the mood ofthe wearer.

One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that thermographicliquid crystals (TLC), one form of color changing material appropriatefor use with embodiments of the present invention, change color as afunction of temperature when illuminated by white light. Hence reflectvisible light at different wavelengths (colors). TLCs are usually madefrom a flat strip of liquid crystals with a protective coating. Thecrystals respond to changes in temperature by twisting. The twistingchanges their molecular structure, which alters the wavelengths of lightthat are absorbed or reflected. ‘Wavelengths of light’ is another way ofsaying ‘color’, so when the temperature of the liquid crystals changes,so does their color. Liquid crystals possess the mechanical propertiesof a liquid, but have the optical properties of a single crystal.

In alternate embodiments, other materials may be utilized that arereactive to other stimuli. For instance, color changing materials may beutilized, allowing the contact lens to change color based on the amountof light being received upon the lens, upon changing of weatherconditions (e.g., humidity, temperature, barometric pressure), uponexposure or change in amount of exposure to ultraviolet light orradiation, or any combination thereof. Other materials may be affectedby stimuli that include, but are not limited to, force, magnetic fieldsand electrical fields. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciatethat there are numerous color changing materials that may be utilizedwith embodiments of the present invention, and embodiments of thepresent invention are contemplated for use with any suitable colorchanging material.

A contact lens assembly 36 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention is shown in FIGS. 1-4. The contact lens assembly 36 mayinclude an inner layer 30, and outer layer 12, and a supply of colorchanging material 34 or other color changing material. The outer layer12 may be positioned over the interior surface of the inner layer 30;and the color changing material 34 may be disposed between an interiorsurface of the inner layer 30 and an interior surface of the outer layer12. This formation is known as a “sandwich structure”, creating a sealedarea between the inner and outer layer for retention of the colorchanging material.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 illustrate a contactlens assembly 36, according to one exemplary embodiment of theinvention, 10 which may comprise the outer layer 12, a viewing portal16, the inner layer 30 having a plurality of micro tubes 18, and thecolor changing material 34.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the inner layer 30may be made of plastic or glass. The construction material may bedetermined, at least in part, by the nature and character of the lens(e.g., disposable, permanent). One of ordinary skill in the art wouldappreciate that there are numerous materials that could be utilized forthe inner layer in accordance with embodiments of the present invention,and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated with innerlayers of any suitable material.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality ofnearly-microscopic micro tubes 18 may be machined into the interiorsurface of the inner layer 30 and disposed along a brim 14 of thecontact lens assembly 36 just outside or along the outer edge of theiris of a wearer 28. The micro tubes 18 may be filled with the colorchanging material 34. The outer layer 12 may be placed over the outersurface of the inner layer 30 in order to seal the color changingmaterial 34 into the micro tubes 18. The outer layer 12 may be made ofglass or plastic. When installed on the wearer's eye 22, the colorchanging material 34 may change colors in response to changes in thebody temperature of the wearer 28.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, color changing material-filledmicro tubes 18 may be disposed over the interior surface of the innerlayer 30 from the brim 14 to an iris viewing portal 16. No micro tubes18 may be 25 located within the diameter of the viewing portal 16 asthis may interfere with the wearer's vision.

In yet another alternative exemplary embodiment, the color changingmaterial-filled micro tubes 18 may be disposed about the interiorsurface of the inner layer 30 to create designs in the contact lensassembly 36. Further still, the color changing material-filled microtubes 18 may be configured in such a manner that as stimuli is appliedto the liquid crystal composition, the shape of the designs appear tochange, as well as the color, as expansion and retraction of the liquidcrystal composition causes a greater/lesser number of the micro tubes 18to be filled. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate thatthere are numerous types of designs and patterns that may be utilizedwith embodiments of the present invention, and embodiments of thepresent invention are contemplated for use with any design and/orpattern.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the contact lensassembly 36 may be used in a manner similar to existing contact lenses.As illustrated in FIG. 3, the wearer 28 may place the contact lensassembly 36 between the wearer's upper eye lid 24 and lower eye lid 26and against the wearer's eye 22. The contact lens assembly 36 may alignon the wearer's eye 22 such that the wearer's pupil 20 may see through 5the viewing portal 16. In a preferred embodiment, the color changingmaterial 34 may change color in response to the change in the wearer'sbody temperature. For instance the temperature of the wearer's body mayfluctuate with the wearer's mood or activity level.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a contact lens assembly 36 according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the invention, which may comprise the innerlayer 30, the outer layer 12 and a color changing material plastic striplayer 38. In this embodiment, color changing material may be infusedinto the color changing material plastic strip layer 38. The colorchanging material plastic strip layer 38 may be attached to the outersurface of the inner layer 30. The outer layer 12 may be placed over thecolor changing material plastic strip layer 38 to seal and protect thecolor changing material plastic strip layer 38.

FIG. 7 presents an alternative exemplary embodiment of the contact lensassembly 36 wherein a micro tube color changing material strip layer 32may be infused with color changing material 34 and placed over theinterior surface of the inner layer 30 which may have a plurality ofmicro tubes 18 machined into its interior surface. The micro tube colorchanging material strip layer 32 may fill the micro tubes 18 and providea layer of color changing material -infused material over the interiorsurface of the inner layer 30. The micro tube color changing materialstrip layer 32 may then be 25 sealed with an outer layer 12.

In other embodiments, color changing material may be applied to thesandwich structure area by any one of numerous application means. Forinstance, the color changing material may be applied by spraying thecolor changing material on a bonding surface, painting the colorchanging material on a bonding surface, or any combination thereof. Oneof ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are numerousmethods for applying the color changing material to the sandwichstructure area, and embodiments of the present invention arecontemplated for use with any such method.

Further, in certain embodiments, the micro tubes 18 may be integratedinto the interior surface through alternative means outside of machiningMethods for integrating the micro tubes 18 into the interior surfaceinclude, but are not limited to, chemical reactions, presses, or anycombination thereof. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciatethat there are numerous methods for integrating micro tubes into aninterior surface, and embodiments of the present invention arecontemplated for use with any such method.

In a preferred embodiment, one of the purposes of the contact lensassembly 36 may be that of a functional fashion accessory; an aestheticdevice. However, there may be other applications for the contact lensassembly 36, such as criminal investigation applications based upon theability to detect subtle changes in body temperature, which may indicatechanges in heart rate, through the use of the contact lens assembly 36.One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there arenumerous applications for embodiments of the present invention, andembodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with anyappropriate application.

DESCRIPTION LIST

-   10: is the overall invention.-   12: is the contact lens outer layer.-   14: is the contact lens brim.-   16: is the contact lens iris viewing portal.-   18: is the color changing material filled micro tube machined into    plastic or glass contact lens material.-   20: is the iris.-   22: is the eye.-   24: is the upper eye lid.-   26: is the lower eye lid.-   28: is the operator.-   30: is the contact lens inner later.-   32: is the micro tube color changing material strip layer.-   34: is the color changing material-   36: is the contact lens.-   38: is the color changing material plastic strip layer.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of thepresent invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis detailed description. The invention is capable of myriadmodifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings anddescriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and notrestrictive.

1. A contact lens, said contact lens comprising: an inner layer,comprised of an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein saidexterior surface is configured to be placed upon the eye of anindividual; an outer layer, comprised of an interior surface and anexterior surface, wherein said interior surface of said outer layer isaffixed to said interior surface of said inner layer in such a way thatcreates a sandwich structure incorporating a sealed area there between;and color changing material, wherein said color changing material iscontained within said sealed area.
 2. The contact lens of claim 1,wherein said interior surface of said inner layer is further comprisedof a plurality of micro tubes.
 3. The contact lens of claim 2, whereinsaid plurality of micro tubes is configured to receive at least aportion of said color changing material.
 4. The contact lens of claim 1,wherein said color changing material is configured to respond to one ormore stimuli.
 5. The contact lens of claim 4, wherein at least one ofsaid one or more stimuli is temperature changes.
 6. The contact lens ofclaim 4, wherein at least one of said one or more stimuli is changes inthe amount of visible light.
 7. The contact lens of claim 4, wherein atleast one of said one or more stimuli is changes in weather conditions.8. The contact lens of claim 4, wherein at least one of said one or morestimuli is changes in exposure to ultraviolet light.
 9. The contact lensof claim 4, wherein said response includes a change in color of saidcolor changing material.
 10. The contact lens of claim 6, wherein saidresponse includes a change in shape of said color changing material. 11.The contact lens of claim 10, wherein said change in shape creates avisible pattern.
 12. The contact lens of claim 1, wherein said colorchanging material comprises a liquid crystal material.
 13. The contactlens of claim 1, wherein said color changing material comprises a thermographic liquid crystal material.
 14. The contact lens of claim 1,wherein said color changing material comprises a thermochromic leucodye.
 15. The contact lens of claim 1, wherein said color changingmaterial comprises a photochromic material.
 16. A method for creating acolor changing contact lens, said method comprising the steps of:creating an inner layer, comprised of an interior surface and anexterior surface, wherein said exterior surface is configured to beplaced upon the eye of an individual; creating an outer layer, comprisedof an interior surface and an exterior surface; and applying a colorchanging material to one or more of said interior surface of said innerlayer and said interior surface of said outer layer, affixing saidinterior surface of said outer layer to said interior surface of saidinner layer in such a way that creates a sandwich structureincorporating a sealed area there between, wherein said color changingmaterial is contained within said sealed area.
 17. The method of claim16, wherein said color changing material comprises liquid crystalmaterial.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein said color changingmaterial comprises a thermo graphic liquid crystal material.
 19. Themethod of claim 16, further comprising the step of machining micro tubesinto said interior surface of said inner layer.
 20. The method of claim16, further comprising the step of machining micro tubes into saidinterior surface of said exterior layer.